Delta links Seattle, Hong Kong

Latest addition in airline's buildup of Sea-Tac hub for Asia and Europe

Delta Airlines launched nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport toHong Kong on Monday.

The new market is Delta's latest addition in the buildup of itsSeattlehub and its fifth new international destination fromSeattlein the past year.

With the launch ofthe newservice, Seattle travelers now have direct access to nine overseas international destinations from the carrier, including Beijing and Shanghai.

Delta customers and employees marked the event along with representatives from the Port ofSeattle, Visit Seattle, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and the Hong Kong Association ofWashingtonwith a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Gate S-7 at Sea-Tac International Airport prior to the departure of the first flight.

"With the addition of theHong Kongflight, Delta now offers our customers more than 2,500 daily seats to the top business markets inAsiaandEuropefrom ourSeattlehub," saidMike Medeiros, Delta's vice-president inSeattle.

Delta is the only carrier to offer nonstop service fromSeattleto Hong Kong and Shanghai. On both flights, Delta offers full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite and entertainment on demand in every seat throughout the aircraft.

"Delta's direct flight to Hong Kong is so convenient that it will be my top choice to travel between Seattle and Hong Kong," said Benjamin Lee, president emeritus of the Hong Kong Association of Washington, before boarding the first Delta flight to Hong Kong on Monday.

The flight is scheduled to arrive at Hong KongInternational Airport at 6:45 pm on Tuesday.

Delta has expanded its operation inSeattleover the last year to support its international service and offer customers more choices in the previously underserved market. Overall, Delta has increased its peak-day departures by more than 30 percent since a year ago and by December will offer 95 peak-day departures to 33 destinations, making itSeattle'sfastest-growing airline, according to Delta.

Delta currently operates 76 peak-day departures to 25 destinations fromSeattle. The airline has also invested$15 millionin its facilities at Sea-Tac, including its Delta Sky Club and recently completed lobby renovations, Sky Priority services, new gate area power recharging stations, expanded ticket counters and enhancements to the international arrivals area.

Headquartered inAtlanta, Delta employs nearly 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of 758 Boeing and Airbus jets, with an additional 151 on order.

lindadeng@chinadailyusa.com